The Fergus Horticultural Society’s Garden Tour is a sure sign that summer has finally arrived.
This self-guided tour is scheduled for 12:30 to 4:30pm, rain or shine.
Tour-goers can begin at any one of the locations.
The society does not sell tickets for this event as admission is free but a food or cash donation for the local food bank is customary.
The rural and town gardens on this year’s tour include:
76 Green Valley Road, Belwood (west side of Wellington Road 26)
The owners of this property have proven that with an unwavering vision, a garden can be created in almost any location.
Original unproductive clay soil was transformed into a beautiful garden by simply augmenting the soil with an abundance of well-aged manure and compost.
Numerous native trees and shrubs grace this property, therefore the owners had to develop gardens that also incorporate shade dwelling plants.
Other unique areas of this property include an intriguing cactus bed.
37 Amalia Crescent, Belwood (east side of Wellington Road 26)
When the owners first acquired this property they established a small garden consisting of traditional perennials – irises, black-eyed Susan, echinaceas, peonies and daisies.
Over the years, they continued to expand further by planting natives as well as focusing on daylilies and hostas.
The gardeners also developed a keen interest in roses.
The soil fertility is maintained through an extensive application of well composted material and shredded leaves.
The diverse flora and fauna on the property has sparked another passionate interest in photography.
8409 Wellington Road 22 (south east corner Wellington Road 22 and Fourth Line)
Forty years ago, this 10 acre property was just an empty field. With a dream home overall plan and with sheer tenacity the owners created a mixed but open forested property.
It is the owner’s practise to plant and only nurture as needed and then let nature take over.
Visitors to the property will appreciate the variety of trees growing among native vegetation. These gardeners are another example of the perpetual use of mulch.
The vegetable garden has been amended with well-rotted manure for several years and rarely needs another application.
Because of its location, water conservation is a main objective.
To develop strong root systems, new trees and plants are closely watched and only watered in their first year or in extreme drought conditions.
380 Brock Avenue, Fergus (south side of Hill Street between Beatty Line and Maiden Lane)
Because parking is very limited on this narrow cul-de-sac, it is recommended that tour visitors use the AO Smith parking lot just west of Brock Avenue.
The homes on Brock Avenue contribute to the historical significance of the area because of their workmanship, beauty, and uniqueness.
Brock Avenue is adjacent to the former Beatty Brothers factory (farm equipment manufacturer).
These homes were built in 1935 for company supervisory personnel who could be called upon at all hours, especially during emergencies.
The present owners have been gardening in Fergus for 10 years. Previously, the property had small gardens within a park-like setting.
Favorite perennials from the owner’s former home north of Barrie were added to the Fergus gardens. Because of the sheer extensiveness of the new property, new gardens were developed.
Due of the severity of last winter, remnants of fallen trees, are visible.
Because of the owner’s very active lives they have developed a gardening philosophy that their gardens must survive with minimum attention.
And like so many others, these gardeners only water newer specimens.
They reach this objective by using lots of mulch that has been amended with well-rotted manure, as well as incorporating the extensive dropping of leaves.
Visit the society’s website for a printable map and brochure.
Submitted by Ron Stevenson
